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Yard waste diversion helps City exceed 2018 waste diversion goal

The City of Kingston has exceeded its 2018 residential waste diversion goal four years early, but residents will have to work hard to reach that goal again.

The significant increase in the diversion rate is due to the large amount of yard waste received at the Kingston Area Recycling Centre in 2014 tied to damage from the ice storm in 2013.

"Since the residential diversion rate is the percentage of the waste diverted from landfill, the large amount of yard waste diverted makes our rate look very impressive. Still, it's an encouraging number and we should aim to maintain or exceed the rate through reducing, reusing, recycling waste where possible," says Heather Roberts, manager of solid waste.

The latest data from Waste Diversion Ontario shows that the City's 2014 residential waste diversion rate was 63 per cent.

That makes it the second-best rate in Ontario and surpasses the City's goal to divert 60 per cent of its residential waste from landfill by 2018.

The 2015 diversion rate is unlikely to be as high because less yard waste was collected. Roberts says that Kingston is on track to reach the 2018 goal.

In 2014, the City diverted more than 6,000 more tonnes of yard waste than the year before, representing a seven per cent increase in the diversion rate over 2013 when the City's rate was 56 per cent.

The City's ultimate goal is to divert 65 per cent of its residential waste from landfill.

If an item can be recycled, reused or composted, it's not garbage. Garbage is good for nothing. Avoid buying it.

About the City of Kingston

The City of Kingston provides municipal services to 125,000 residents living in this visually stunning, historic city, often ranked one of the best places to live in Canada. Kingston is focusing on being smart and livable as it pursues its vision to become Canada's most sustainable city. We focus on environmental responsibility, social equity, economic health and cultural vitality –ensuring that today's decisions don't compromise our future. Please visit www.CityofKingston.ca and join the conversation on social media.